Unlike Other Republicans, Mitt Romney Still Opposes Todd Akin

Romney stands by his opposition to the Missouri Senate candidate, according to an adviser, despite the conversion of many Republicans since the passing of the deadline for Akin to withdraw, among them several prominent Missouri Republicans including Sen. Roy Blunt and former governor and senator Kit Bond.

“When Congressman Akin made those remarks, he disagreed with them entirely and could not stand by them and that hasn’t changed,” Romney adviser Kevin Madden told MSNBC’s Andrea Mitchell Tuesday in a televised interview. “I can’t speak for Gov. Bond and Sen. Blunt, but Gov. Romney has made his position very clear on that and it has not changed.”

Two days after Akin’s now-infamous “rape” comment, Romney — along with Blunt, Bond and many other Republicans — called on the Missouri Senate candidate to withdraw his bid.

“Todd Akin’s comments were offensive and wrong and he should very seriously consider what course would be in the best interest of our country,” Romney said in a prepared statement in August. “Today, his fellow Missourians urged him to step aside, and I think he should accept their counsel and exit the Senate race.”

Last week, both Blunt and Bond endorsed Akin. A former pariah, Akin has received a wave of support since his withdrawal deadline expired last week.

Almost as soon as Republicans were officially stuck with Akin as their candidate, the National Republican Senatorial Committee reversed its stance and endorsed him, after publicly calling on him to step aside. Rick Santorum, Rick Perry, Sen. Jim DeMint, and the DeMint-founded Senate Conservatives Fund have all lent their backing to his campaign.